19 Best Moving Tips of 2018

So are you freaking out yet? I mean, after all, you’re moving! Does the exclamation point make you excited or even more nervous?Well, I’m here to tell you to relax. Moving doesn’t have to be that hard. The key is preparation. Below you’ll find the very best moving tips, tricks, and hacks to make your move a heck of a lot easier. Enjoy!

Make A Timeline:

Moving is a big deal. Getting organized will only make the experience that much less stressful. Looking for a great example? Check out our Ultimate Moving Checklist.

Do Your Research:

Are you moving your self or hiring a professional moving company? If it’s the latter, it’s important to find a mover you can trust. Ask friends about their experiences, check out reviews and affiliations, and get a few in-home estimates to compare prices. For even more advice, click here

Label Everything:

Yup – we mean everything! After you’ve moved in and cracked open a beer to relax, there’s nothing worse than realizing that you have to move those 4 boxes that you already carried upstairs back downstairs to the basement. “I could’ve sworn I put the towels in that box!” Avoid the issue, and label.

Create An Inventory System:

While we’re on the topic of labeling, you might as well devise a system. Color coding and numbers work great. For example, put a blue sticker on everything that goes into the master bedroom. Label the box 1 of 8. Repeat for your other rooms. This will help you and the movers know where the boxes are going without guessing and help you know that everything went on and came off the truck.

Avoid The Garage:

When moving, it’s so easy to rest a box down in your new garage and say “I’ll get to that one later.” Let me be the first to tell you, that you won’t get to that one later. It will probably sit there through the winter with the other boxes that you said, you’ll unpack “tomorrow.” Boxes you leave packed up in the garage probably shouldn’t have made it in the first place. Either purge them before you move or unpack them immediately. Otherwise, your brand new garage will be filled with boxes and you’ll find yourself parking on the street.

Get Rid of Your Sh*t:

Moving is a great time to purge! That old set of dishes from college. Or those shoes you haven’t worn in 3 years. Better yet, what about that old set of encyclopedias from the 90s?! Now is the time to get rid of it all! It also will save you time and money when you reduce the weight of the goods you’re moving. That’s right – we just saved you some money too!

Make A Copy:

Are you putting important electronics on the moving truck like laptops and external hard drives? Back up your files! No matter how prepared you are, accidents happen. It’s better to have your files backed up than lose them forever. Click Here for a few other tips about moving electronics.

Have A Family Meeting:

Moving can be stressful. Just because you feel like you might have things under control, there’s a chance that your family is getting even more nervous as moving day approaches. Talk about timelines. Talk about the new neighborhood. Talk about what you’re taking and what you’re leaving. If you’re moving with kids, give them a little extra attention. This is a big deal for them. All it takes is some communication to help set their minds at ease.

You Do Not Have Superhuman Strength:

I don’t care how much you work out. That’s right – your six-pack doesn’t impress me! There is the right way to move boxes and the wrong way to move boxes. The latter will leave you with a hefty chiropractic bill. Warm up. Lift with your knees. Put your boxes on wheels. And get friends (or hire a professional mover) to help you. Click Here to learn how to move without hurting your back.

Keep Your Clothes Together:

While that antique dresser might seem heavy when it’s loaded with drawers full of clothes, it lightens up quite a bit when you take the drawers out. Why pack all those clothes into boxes. After all, a drawer is literally a wooden box. And another thing! Did you know that you can keep the clothes hanging in your closet on hangers and just put them in a garbage bag? Both of these hacks keep your clothes together and make unpacking super fast.

If You Want It Done Right, Hire A Professional:

Grand Pianos. Grandfather Clocks. Chandeliers. Your mom’s armoire. You could A: Have your buddy help you move these in return for a six pack and a slice of pizza. Or B: Hire a professional mover to get the job done correctly. While the latter might cost you a bit more money, it will save you piece of mind in knowing that your most valuable items won’t break during the move.

Find A Mover:

Looking for that perfect moving company? Well, you’re in luck! Move For Hunger works with hundreds of professional moving companies across N. America who will not only provide you with an exceptional moving experience but also offer to deliver your non-perishable food items to your local food bank – free of charge! That’s right, you get a great move while also helping others. Book your next move with a Move For Hunger member.

You Know It’s All About That Base:

Totally went there! But seriously, thinking about how you’re packing and stacking heavy boxes. When packing, it’s always best to put heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter on top. Don’t overfill the boxes either, or you won’t be able to lift them. When stacking boxes, do the same. Moving a crushed box is never fun. As a rule of thumb, try to only stack boxes about 3 high. You’ll be less likely to crush the bottom boxes and less likely to see them tip over on the moving truck.

Don’t Forget Your Blankie:

Fun fact: Blankets make excellent moving pads to protect your furniture! Maybe don’t use that raggedy one that your grandmother knitted for you. However, if you have any old comforters or sheets lying around, we recommend draping them over dressers or other items that can scratch. Not only will they protect your belongings from damage, but will also save space.

Consider Your Pets:

Your four legged friends are also about to move. You might be able to have the “moving talk” with your family, but there’s no way Fido is going to understand a word you’re saying. Here are some important things to consider when moving with pets.

Hold On To Your Newspapers:

One of the best (and cheapest) packing materials is newspaper. It’s great for wrapping fragile items like picture frames, dishes, glasses, and filling up empty space at the top of your boxes for extra cushion. Just remember to label the boxes “Fragile” before putting them on the truck!

Be A Good Neighbor:

Think you’re curious about who your new neighbors are? I bet you they’re even more curious. After all, you could be a weirdo, or a party animal, or the house that never cuts their lawn (not cool). When you move in, it’s important to meet the neighbors as soon as possible. Introduce yourself, your kids, your pets, and keep all that moving trash in check. Start off your experience on the right side of the street, and you’ll get along with your new neighbors just fine.

Donate Your Food When You Move:

It’s kind of our thing 🙂 Did you know that over 40% of all food produced in the United States ends up in a landfill? At the same time, nearly 50 million Americans struggle with hunger. Together, we can help change these statistics. Please book your next move with one of our moving partners who will offer to donate your non-perishables to the local food bank.